Basic Linguistic Theory, Vols 1-3. Dixon, R.M.W. (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2010-12)
Reviewed by Howard Jackson, Centre for Linguistics,
Translation and Literacy. Course Leader, MA in Field
Linguistics.
What is language like? What are languages like? These
are two questions that are fundamental to the discipline
of linguistics. Linguists divide into two camps on the
basis of which of these two questions they regard as
more fundamental or to be the top priority for linguistic research. The first is pursued by
‘theoretical’ linguists, whose goal is to build a theory or model to ‘explain’ human language.
The second is asked by ‘descriptive’ linguists, who see their primary goal as the investigation
and description of the world’s thousands of languages. The approach of the first is deductive
(from theory to hypothesis to data), that of the second inductive (from data to hypothesis to
theory). Dixon belongs decidedly to the second camp; and his three-volume Basic Linguistic
Theory, based on a lifetime’s work as a descriptive linguist, mounts a spirited defence of the
inductive approach.
Dixon argues that linguists should proceed from language data to description, and from the
descriptions of many languages to theory – the ‘basic linguistic theory’ of the title of his work.
The theory is based on the cumulative knowledge and insights of descriptive linguists; and
any new description of a previously unanalysed language could potentially modify the theory,
if some previously unidentified feature is found or if a feature is used in a previously
unrecorded manner. Languages must be analysed in their own terms; descriptive labels and
terminology may be derived from the theory and applied to phenomena in the language
under analysis that are sufficiently similar to those in other languages. Dixon maintains that
no two languages are precisely the same in any feature, so that the theory must always be
provisional.
The first Volume of Basic Linguistic Theory (BLT) is entitled ‘Methodology’. In it Dixon sets
out his aims, to propose “an outline characterization of the structure of human language”
(p.1), and to provide a manual for field linguistics, i.e. for those investigating previously
unanalysed languages, in the field. Dixon is an experienced field linguist himself, having
worked on languages of Australia, Fiji and the Amazon, among others, including English.
What he has to say is of direct relevance to linguists working with SIL, who are engaged with
analysing languages as a step towards Bible translation and literacy work. The first volume is
essential reading for anyone training to become a field linguist. It outlines the scope of
grammar, demonstrating the kinds of features that the grammatical systems of languages
contain. It explains how to analyse languages and describe their grammars; it shows how to
‘do linguistics’ and engage in linguistic argumentation; and it gives tips on field linguistics.
While the focus is on grammar, this volume also contains a chapter on phonology and on the
lexicon (i.e. vocabulary), as well as on the issue of terminology.
The subsequent two volumes are concerned exclusively with grammar: Volume 2
‘Grammatical Topics’ (487 pages) and Volume 3 ‘Further Grammatical Topics’ (545 pages).
Grammar is the means by which words are tied together and is thus central to the analysis of
a language. How the language is pronounced, what words and other expressions make up
its vocabulary, how its discourses and texts are organised are all important; but, arguably,
the grammatical systems of a language are somehow at the core. Volumes 2 and 3 cover a
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wide range of topics in the main areas of grammar; they are illustrated with examples from a
variety of different languages and language types; and each chapter concludes with a ‘What
to investigate’ section, giving a list of questions to guide a field linguist in investigating the
particular grammatical topic under discussion. Volume 3 concludes with a useful chapter on
‘language and the world’, discussing how cultural factors, such as politeness and honour,
may be reflected in a language’s grammar, as well as how geographical terrain, world view,
kinship systems and size of the language community may influence grammar.
Dixon asserts that linguistic fieldwork should be undertaken for its own sake, and one of
‘poor reasons’ that he gives for doing fieldwork is “missionaries feel[ing] a call to translate
parts of the Christian Bible into some new language” (Vol 1, p.310). He notes that some
missionaries, who haven’t done the linguistics properly, end up producing poor translations;
but he does acknowledge that there are missionaries who have done the linguistics well and
who produce good grammatical descriptions and good translations. Dixon’s link between the
adequacy of field linguistics, grammatical description, and quality of translation is a valid
point and should be taken note of.
Although Bible translation is an important motivator for missionary field linguistics, one might
argue that there is, for the Christian, another motivator. Language is one of the
characteristics that define us as human beings created in the image of God. To study
languages in all their variety and complexity is to seek to understand this attribute of our
humanness which enables us to form relationships with God and with our fellow human
beings. Dixon’s three-volume work on ‘basic linguistic theory’ is an excellent resource for
doing that, as well as an essential vade mecum for the field linguist, whatever their
motivation might be.
Please Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the position of Redcliffe College.
This and other articles can be downloaded from the Encounters website
(www.redcliffe.org/encounters).
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